You are here:

The Grey and Simcoe Foresters

Unit Identification

Tenacious and Versatile

Who We Are

The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is a Primary Reserve Infantry Regiment of the Canadian Army. As part of 31 Canadian Brigade Group, the Regiment is based in Barrie and Owen Sound and provides the Brigade with highly motivated and trained Infantry Soldiers. The Foresters have had a unique history that has lived up to its rural tenacity and spirit. The Regiment has shown its versatility throughout its existence in the Canadian Army, having served Canada as Infantry, Armoured and as an Artillery Regiment.

Join Our Team

Please do not hesitate to call us for more information. We would be pleased to review your resume, and have you visit us for a tour of our unit.

Related Links

Command Team

Commander: Lieutenant-Colonel Perry Rittershofer

Sergeant Major: Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Pawliw, CD

Our History

In 1795, the Simcoe District (then covering much of what is now Grey and Dufferin Counties) was created by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe in order to organize the area for military purposes. The District was sparsely populated for many years but by the outbreak of the War of 1812, there were enough men to provide at least a dozen to the York Militia and these fought at Queenston Heights. In 1814 other men went from North Simcoe with the Newfoundland Fencibles in time to save Michilimacinac and capture the two American schooners attacking that place and thus restored British Naval supremacy on the Upper Great Lakes. Several of them then went with Captain Bulger when he captured the American post at Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin. At the end of the War, the militia units were all disbanded and the Sedentary Militia resumed its normal routine.